My gripe which is close to anger 😠
Right, here we go ... unleash the flying monkeys🐒😠
We have just returned from our friend's home. He is an elderly gentleman.
He is very proud of his garden and boy oh boy he has stunning roses and fruit trees. So much work and time goes into this glorious garden.
His generosity is well known to those who know him and also strangers he meets along the way.
People knock on his door all the time and ask for some fruit or of they could have a rose off his bushes. He will always give them generally what they have asked for and maybe an extra item or two.
To say that he will share the shirt off his back is an understatement, he will share what he has in the garden to anyone who asks.
Well imagine, if you can, his shock and anger to wake up to a noise he heard outside (late afternoon) and to find 2 women - 1 daughter and her elderly mother with a large bucket in hand, stripping his fruit trees.
Their large bucket was 3/4 full.
When confronted, the women pleaded ignorance, couldn't speak English (so they said) and then proceeded to tell him, "Well, everyone does it and why can't they?"
Our friend almost busted a gut at this response regarding them stealing fruit off his trees, on his section.
He told them to take a long walk off a short pier (not these words by a long shot).
They shrugged their shoulders and carried on picking and this is where he lost his cool.
He shouted at them to leave or the Police will be called.
They walked off his section and down the road, so they live locally.
It makes you wonder if this is the first time they have done this?
I think not.
My gripe is PLEASE DO NOT HELP YOURSELF TO ANYONE ELE'S FRUIT IF IT'S ON THEIR SECTION - IT'S THEFT!!
If it's hanging over the fence, well that's borderline, but the tree is still the property of the owner.
So PLEASE, take a moment, knock on the door and just ask.
Chances are you will get more than what you asked for, maybe a new friend in the end.
Stealing off someone who is struggling, is DISGUSTING!
I can only hope that the karma bus is on it's way to these 2 despicable women.
You both should be ashamed of yourselves for stealing off an old man - ASHAMED!!!
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.